Knife Freedom Day in Texas. “Bowie Bill” goes into effect

It might seem a bit frivolous in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, but the water will recede, Texas will rebuild, and Texans will be permitted, beginning today, to carry Bowie Knives, stilettos, and even swords throughout the state (with a few minor restrictions). Even though they had to postpone their “Bring Your Own Bowie” event, Knife Rights issued the following statement based on the law’s going into effect.

From Knife Rights:

September 1, 2017 – Gilbert, Arizona: Texas HB 1935, that was passed overwhelmingly by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, takes effect today, September 1. The new law eliminates from Texas statute the prohibition against carrying “illegal knives,” including daggers, dirks, stilettos, poniards, swords, spears and most notably, Bowie knives. This allows them to be carried throughout the state with the exception that knives with blades over 5.5 inches are now restricted from carry in a limited number of locations.

In order to get the bill passed after the tragic University of Texas Austin fatal stabbing just days before the House vote, an amendment was added to stipulate that knives with blades over 5.5 inches are now defined as “location restricted” knives. These knives may be carried throughout the state except in a narrow list of places such as schools, colleges, courts, correctional facilities, houses of worship, bars that derive more than 51% of their income from alcohol sales, etc. Minors are also restricted as to when they can carry these knives.

For full details on the new Texas law and a complete list of the limited places where you cannot carry “location restricted” knives with blades over 5.5 inches, please see:

In 2013 Knife Rights’ repeal of Texas’ switchblade ban was enacted. In 2015 we got Knife Law Preemption enacted, removing all local knife ordinances more restrictive than Texas state law. Now in 2017 we have removed all of the “illegal knives” in Texas law, finally allowing Texans the right to carry a Bowie knife, dagger and virtually any other knife.

Knife Rights Chairman Doug Ritter said: “we are not yet finished. We will be back in two years to see about striking those last remaining minor knife restrictions in Texas. We won’t stop until Texas is a free as everyone thinks Texas is.”

comments

Damn, I’m proud to be a Texan… and I love this little carve out in HB 1935: “Within 1,000 feet of the premises where an Execution is being conducted, if posted.” Yeah, IF posted… haha. Only in Texas, where we capitalize the word “Execution.” Damn skippy.